DENDEN Lazaro (right) makes a choice that would change her life forever.

And every choice you make reflects what’s inside your heart.

On a balmy night of January, Denden Lazaro made the biggest choice of her life when she agreed to marry her best friend — LA Revilla.

Here comes a very popular volleyball player from Ateneo de Manila University tying the knot with a basketball player from De La Salle University who nearly lost his playing career — and his life — to a battle with diabetes.

What they have was a feel-good love story that offers a golden lesson that even players from rival schools can be on the same page when matters of the hearts are on the line.

The Philippine national women’s volleyball team is neck-deep in its preparation for the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and Lazaro is highly expected to participate in the buildup starting with the regular training, foreign boot camp, ASEAN Grand Prix and the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Super Cup.

With that, she would be out of the country most of the time and will not be available to prepare for the most important, most intimate day of her life.

“It was a huge decision I had to make because SEA Games is such a big deal and I want to be part of the team. But at the same time, I also want to focus on myself,” said Lazaro, a grizzled libero who doesn’t say “no” whenever the country comes calling.

And that choice would definitely change her life forever.

But putting Lazaro and Revilla, who were once considered as the power couple of collegiate sports, on the same page wasn’t a stroke of luck.

In fact, they initially did not know each other for having no common friends.

“The funny thing is that we didn’t have any mutual friends,” said Lazaro, who is now protecting the floor for Petron in the ongoing PSL Invitational Conference.

“It just so happened that he used to train in Ateneo and we often see each other.”

Lazaro said it was Revilla who broke the ice.

“Of course, it was him who made the first move and now, here we are, five years later, stronger than ever.”

Like any relationship, keeping it tight wasn’t easy.

Aside from playing for rival schools, the distance and their respective training and game schedules kept them apart.

Lazaro identified these challenges, but stressed that they had to work doubly hard to keep the flame burning.

“But if you want to make the relationship work, then it will work. It’s just all a matter of putting in the effort for the one you love.”

And last 22 January, the popular volleyball and hardworking cager — the power couple of collegiate sports — finally agreed to tie the knot and be with each other for the rest of their lives.

With the wedding bells starting to ring, Lazaro decided that maybe it’s also the perfect time to focus on herself first and beg off from joining the national team.

Sure, sitting out the SEA Games isn’t easy, but this time, it is only fitting that she prioritizes herself and the one she loves.

“Coach Shaq (De los Santos) and the whole team are very understanding of my situation. And I hope that my fellow Filipinos will, too” said Lazaro, who is leaving the quest for a SEA Games medal in good hands with the emergence of Dawn Macandili and Kath Arado.

“We have Dawn Macandili and Kath Arado in the roster so why would I be worried. It will also be a good exposure for Kath so she can serve the country again when duty calls.”

Lazaro said the mere thought of walking down the aisle excites her.

“I am excited and, at the same time, nervous and agitated,” she said, adding that preparing for a wedding is not easy since there are a lot of paperwork to fulfill, bills to pay and suppliers to meet.

“I am a bit hands-on, specially on paperwork. I have to go to the city hall to file all requirements. Even the church requirements are taking a toll. It’s not easy.”

“I know there will come a time that difficulties will knock us out as married couples, but we’ll learn from it,” she said. After all, nothing comes easy.

Yes, Lazaro made a lot of choices in her life.

But when stacked between two crucial choices of being happy and serving the country, she made a perfect dive, delivered the ball that led to an easy point.

“Yes, I think it was all worth it,” she said.